Transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and more

Thursday December 14

Coutinho or Ozil? That is the question…

16:30: Are you sitting comfortably? Good, because this transfer line is a complete minefield!

Barcelona's bid to sign Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho continues, but the Catalan giants are unwilling to let the issue run throughout the transfer window, according to the Mirror.

The newspaper says reports in Spain suggest club bosses have decided that if a deal cannot be done by the end of December, then they will need to move on.

They could then look to sign Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, the paper adds.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Ozil favours signing for Manchester United over Barcelona should he leave Arsenal.

The paper says the Germany international has made it plain to friends that he is eyeing a switch to United, while Jose Mourinho is said to be watching his situation closely.

Embalo battle

16:00: Manchester United face competition from Barcelona in the battle for Benfica’s Umaro Embalo.

The highly-rated teenager has been on United’s radar for some time.

But Spanish newspaper Marca claim Barca and RB Leipzig are also keeping tabs on the Portuguese teenager. 

Coutinho demand

15:00: Philippe Coutinho is requesting fresh talks with Liverpool over lowering their demands for him so he can join Barcelona in the January window.

Barca are expected to pursue the Brazilian in the winter window but the Reds are playing hardball.

And Spanish publication Don Balon claim Coutinho is planning talks with the Reds to see if they will budge on their £132m asking price.

Coutinho is keen to get a move sorted to ensure Barca don’t pursue other targets instead.

Wilshere in the dark

14:00: Jack Wilshere has insisted that no contract talks have started yet with Arsenal – despite manager Arsene Wenger’s claims. 

Wilshere said: “We are in the same position as we were two weeks ago. Nothing’s changed.

“There’s not really a date in the diary. I’ve only read what the manager has said in the media.

“I’ve just played my first game in the Premier League, I’m concentrating on staying fit and staying in this team. The contract stuff will look after itself.

“When it’s the right time to talk about it, I’m sure the boss will call me and we’ll have a chat.

Iniesta on Neymar

13:00: Andres Iniesta admits he would be annoyed if Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid in the future.

“Anything can happen in football and I would not rule it out,” Iniesta said. 

“We’ve seen numerous times how there are situations which seem unlikely or impossible but they end up happening.

“If Neymar was to join Madrid? It would annoy me in the sense that he wins matches and would strengthen a direct rival, but I’m not worried.”

Liverpool eye Vrsaljko

12:00: Liverpool could reportedly battle Napoli for Atletico Madrid defender Sime Vrsaljko.

According to The Sun, the Reds are hoping to tie up a deal for Vrsaljko.

And that’s despite having Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold at their disposal.

Liverpool are not alone in their pursuit of the £22m-rated ace though.

Napoli are apparently eyeing up Vrsaljko as they look to replace the injured Faouzi Ghoulam.

Willian happy at Chelsea

11:00: Willian says he is happy at Chelsea, despite speculation of a move to Manchester United.

The Brazilian has struggled for regular game time under Antonio Conte this season.

He said: "I'm always happy here at Chelsea. I really like this club a lot with my heart. Yeah, I'm very happy.

"When I play, I always try to do my best to help the team to score goals to make assists and I did that with my team-mates."

Desailly on Hazard

10:30: Marcel Desailly says Chelsea would be able to replace Eden Hazard if he left the Blues for Real Madrid next summer.

“We are still in the season, no player is more important than the club,” he told Goal. 

“Even when [Didier] Drogba left, one of the great players, the spirit of the club continued. They continued to win.

“We will be sad if Hazard has to go but I am sure that Roman Abramovich is still passionate about the club. He will bring in another player that can allow the club to be at the same level again.” 

Real Madrid hatch Eden Hazard plan

10:00: Real Madrid are ready to up their attempts to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea with Zinedine Zidane demanding the transfer from Florentino Perez.

The wing-wizard has been sensational for Chelsea once again this season, scoring eight goals while also providing seven assists.

The La Liga giants were heavily linked with a move in the summer and Hazard has hinted he could be tempted to leave Chelsea on numerous occasions.

And Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Zidane has not given up hope of bringing the 26-year-old to the Bernabeu.

It is said the Real boss held a meeting with Perez stating his desire to sign Hazard at the end of the season.

And Zidane believes Hazard could be the perfect partner to Ronaldo in Real’s frontline.

Cristiano Ronaldo bombshell

09:00: Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly brought in his lawyers in order to help him engineer an exit from Real Madrid.

Despite an indifferent start to the La Liga campaign by his very high standards, Zinedine Zidane has given Ronaldo his unwavering support.

And according to Spanish TV station El Chiringuito, Ronaldo is considering his options.

The report says he is consulting his lawyers and asking them to strike a deal with Los Blancos to help lower his release clause.

At present, the 32-year-old has an £879million buy-out clause which is more than his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

Suarez sends Barcelona transfer ultimatum

08:00: Luis Suarez has reportedly warned Barcelona against eyeing a deal for a new striker, or risk him leaving.

That’s according to Diario Gol, who claim the Uruguay international is furious at rumours linking the likes of Antoine Griezmann to the Nou Camp.

While Suarez is far from short of goals in the Spanish top flight with seven in 12 games, he has failed to find the net in six Champions League matches.

And that has caused concern at Barcelona with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu keeping his options open about bringing in more firepower.

Chelsea make move for Thomas Lemar

07:00: Chelsea are reportedly prepared to let Michy Batshuayi join Monaco on loan to sweeten a deal with Monaco to sign Thomas Lemar next month.

Reports in France this week claimed both Arsenal and Liverpool are set to renew their interest in Lemar in the January transfer window.

However, Chelsea have recently emerged as contenders to sign the sought-after winger.

And the Telegraph claim they are prepared to offer Batshuayi on a loan deal as well as offering a lump sum.

Ozil chooses between Man Utd and Barcelona

06:00: Mesut Ozil would prefer a move to Manchester United over Barcelona, if Arsenal cannot meet his extortionate contract demands, according to reports.

According to the Daily Mail, the German would favour a move to Old Trafford over the Nou Camp.

It is thought Arsenal may look to cash in on their star in January, rather than letting him leave for free in the summer.

He would also be able to sign a pre-contract next month if he wants to moved to foreign club.

But recent reports say United are his preferred destination.